This
is one of the few Sri Panduranga Swamy Temples constructed in Nammalwarpet, a part of Purasawalkam, Chennai.
Moolavar: Sri Pandurangan
Thayar: Sri Rahumayi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…..
The
temple faces west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar is at the entrance of
the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Maha Vishnu
as Pandurangan is in a Standing posture with Rahumayi. Both are keeping their
hands on the hip.
Anjaneyar
and Utsava Murtis are in the ardha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The whole temple was
constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The Vimana above the sanctum
sanctorum was constructed in North Indian, Rekha Nagara style. But the 3 tier
Rajagopuram was constructed in South Indian style.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
exact year of construction of the temple is not known. It is proposed to carry
out the thirupani and Ashta bandhana Maha Samprokshana Kumbhabhishekam will be
conducted on 31st January 2025.
LEGENDS
Lord
Vitthal or Panduranga is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Once
upon a time there was a devotee named Pundalik, who was travelling to Kashi and
on the way he reached the ashram of a Saint named Kukkut. Pundalik asked the
saint the way to Kashi, to which he replied that he wasn't aware of the way as
he had never been there. Hearing this Pundalik made fun of the Kukkut Rishi for
not knowing the way, and further said “a holy man like you should have already
visited Kashi”. The Rishi kept quiet and didn't react to Pundalik’s comments.
That
Night Pundalik stayed at the ashram. And suddenly he woke from his deep sleep
hearing to women’s voice. He saw that 3 women were sprinkling water in the
ashram and cleaning.
On
enquiry, Pundalik found that the 3 women were Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the
three Holy Rivers came down to clean the ashram of Rishi Kukkut. Pundalik was
bit surprised how a saint like Kukkut who had not visited Kashi, was such holy
and powerful that the 3 holy Rivers have come to His Ashram. The three women
told to Pundalik that piousness, spirituality and devotion doesn't depend on
visiting holy places or doing costly rituals. But depends on performing one's
Karma correctly (fulfilling all the duties and responsibilities).
They
further added that Sage Kukkut, had served and nursed his parents most
faithfully and devoted all his life to them. Thus he had accumulated virtue
enough to earn Moksha, and thereby the 3 holy women came down to Earth to serve
the Rishi.
On
the contrast, Pundalik has left his old parents at home and was visiting Kashi
to gain Moksha and blessing. Pundalik didn't bother to entertain the request of
his parents to take them along with him to Kashi. Pundalik after hearing all
this understood his mistake and rushed back home, and took his parents to Kashi
and after return from the holy Kashi, started to take utmost care of his old
parents.
Lord
Krishna was moved by the sincere devotion of Pundalik towards his parents and
decided to test Pundalik. Lord Krishna came to Pundalik’s home, but Krishna saw
that Pundalik was busy attending his parents. Pundalik saw Lord Krishna at the
door, but his devotion towards his parents was so intense, that he wanted to
finish his duties first and later attend to his guest.
Pundalik
has reached such a stage that it didn't matter to him, whether the guest was a
mere mortal or God. All that mattered was service to His parents. Pundalik gave Lord Krishna a brick to stand
on, and asked Him to wait until his duty was completed. And Lord Krishna moved
by the devotion of Pundalik to his parents, waited for him patiently.
Later,
Pundalik came out and asked Krishna for forgiveness for making Him wait.
Krishna asked for any desired boon, for which Pundalik said “My Lord, what can
I ask for..? My Lord himself waits for me..?”. Krishna insisted that Pundalik ask
for a boon, then he asked Krishna to remain on Earth to bless and take care of
His devotees.
Lord
Krishna agreed to stay there and is known as Vithoba or the Lord who stands on
a brick. This form of the Lord Vithoba is Swayambhu (which came into existence
on its own).
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas as per the Vaikanasa Agama special poojas are conducted on
all the Vaishna festival days.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
The
temple is about 500 meters off Ayanavaram Road, close to Podi Kadai Bus stop.
City buses available from Koyambedu.
The
Temple is 5.5 KM from Central Railway station and10 KM from Koyambedu.
Nearest
Railway Station is MGR Central Railway Station.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
